Signal system



Nov. 16 1926.

C. P. NORTHINGTON SIGNAL SYSTEM Filed- Nov. 24 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 16,1926. 1,607,297

. c. P. NORTHINGTQN SIGNAL SYSTEM I Filed Nov. 24 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Nov. 16 1926. 1,601,297

c. P. NORTHINGTON smmn SYSTEM Filed Nov. 192s 3 sheets-shed :s

Z'Tz-l E V v lvweuto't Char zm'r z myio V 1/0 amueyo Patented Nov. 16,1926.

CHARLES P. NORTHINGTON, OF MACON, .GEORGTA.

SIGNAL SYSTEM.

Application filed November 24. 19257 Serial No. 71.247.

The present invention relate-s to signal systems of the type in which anelectrical signal is automatically transmitted-from a signal station toa central. receiving station upon the unlawful or unauthorized entryinto a residence or place of business.

More specifically it relates to signal sys tems of the type known aselectrical burglar alarms in which the unauthorized opening or a door orwindow will cause a signal to be transmitted over a telephone or similarline to a central station.

It is an object of'the present invention to provide an electrical signalsystem in which the opening of a door or window will cause a signal tobe transmitted to a central station, unless previous to such operationof the door or window, a safety signal is trans mitted from the centralstation to the signal location.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a signalsystem for use in hotels, apartment houses, private residences, placesof business or other similar places, in which telephone service isavailable, which signal system is adapted for connection to thetelephone circuit and causes a signal to be transmitted to the telephonecentral upon an entry not authorized 30 or previously anticipated by theparty or parties in charge of the telephone central.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide asignal system in which a signal is transmitted to a telephone centralstation upon the entry of any person through a door or analogousstructure unless prior to such entry a safety or setting signal istransmitted from the central station to the signal location.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate several embodiments of thepresent invention,

Figure 1 is a view of the same as applied to a door,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view, partly in section, of the structure shown inFig. l,

Figs. 3 and 4c are section views of Fig.2 along the section line 38showing the structure in various stages of operation,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the structure taken through the sectionlines 5'5 of Fig. 2, V

Fig. 6 is a sectional view also taken along the line 55 of Fig. 2showing the device 55 in a position just subsequent to signal operation,

Fig. 7 is a view partially in section taken along the .line 77 of Fig.2,

Fig. 8 is a view of a modification of the invention as applied to a doorstructure.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged View of a portion of such structure,

Figs. 10 and 11 are sectional views taken on. the section line of Fig. 8identified as 1010, 1

Fig. 12 is a section taken along the section lines 1212 of Fig. 9,

Fig. 13 is a view partially in section of an attachment to the telephonelocated in the apartment or residence in which the signal is employed, I

Fig. 14 is a sectional view of the same taken along the lines 1 11 1 ofFig. 13,

Fig. 15 is a top view of this structure partially in section.

In the Specific embodiment of the present invention disclosed in Figs. 1to 7 inclusive, the device comprises a recessed cabinet 1 locatedadjacent to a door or similar closure device2. The cabinet 1 isprovidedwith a small door 8 which is provided with a lock l. The.cabinet is of sufiicient size as regards depth and height to contain anelectrical switch mechanismfi. As indicated in thespecific embodiment,this switch structure consists of the switch contact portions of astandard desk telephone with the base and mouth-piece removed. Ifdesired, however, the cabinet or compartment 1 may be made of sufficientsize to accommodate a desk telephone in its entirety in which case thecabinet 1 and its associated structure not only functions as a burglaralarm or signal system but in addition the same provides a place inwhich a telephone may be located and locked against unauthorized use.

Located on the door 3 of the compartment in a position closely adjacentto the opening edge of the door 2 is a closure or shallow box: 6. Thisbox has a door 7 of spring snap construction which has a proiection 8which extends over and beyond the jamb of the door 2. Located on theinner side of the door 2 inset into its edge is a spring latch structure9. This spring latch-structure has a projecting latch member 10 whichupon the opening of the door from the outside, contacts with theprojection 8, thereby opening the door 7 of the shallow box 6. Thespring latch structure 9 is provided'with a knob 11 on the inside of thedoor which knob may be operated to withdraw the latch 10 from operativeposition so that by proper manipulation of this knob the .door 2 may beopened from th-ein side without causing the door or lid 7 of the shallowbox 6 to spring open. I

The switch or signal structure, previously referred to, has the wellknown hook or receiver arm 12. Fastened to this portion of the structurein an suitable manner is a flexible cord or element 13 carrying at itslower'end or extremity a ball 1 1. The top of the shallow box 6 hasanotch 1". Just above the notch 15 isloca'ted a diagonal hole or opening16 of sufficient size to permit the ball 14 to pass readily therethroughand the cord or flexible element 13' is of such length and theproportions of the structure just recited are'such that when the switchlever 12 is in its normal upposition,' the ball 14 will be pulled upinto or through .the opening (3 into the position shown in Fig. 1 of thedrawings.

In order to place the device in operation for the transmission of asignal the door 1 of the compartment is unlocked and opened, and theball 14: pushed downwardly through the diagonal orifice 16.. The ballthen pulled down and placed in the shallow box 6. the cord or flexibleelement 13 being accommodated in .the slot 15 cut in the topv of thehorn It will therefore he noted that when the-door 2 is opened from theoutside the latch 10 contacts with the projecting member .8 on the lid 7of the shallow box 6. thereby causing the same to snap open. This causesthe release of the ball, as the notch 15 is only of sufficient depth toac commodate the flexible element 13. The ball being released, the sameis withdrawn into the interior of the compartment 5 1 through thediagoi'uil opening 16. and the hook member 12 being normally biased tosignaling position, the same operates to transmit a signal through theelectrical telephone circuit or similar circuit with which the switchstructure 5 may be associated.

In some instances in which this specific embodiment just described maybe used, the door 2 might be provided with a transom. In installationsof this characters guard structural? proicctin'g over and beyond theshallow box 16 and covering the diagonal orifice 16 is provided. Thisguard renders it impossible for burglar or person even fully acquaintedwith the operation of the signal device. to reachthrough the transom andby means of a stick or wire to hold the ball .14 in order to restrainthe same om passing through the orifice 1'6 and permitting the signal tobe given A. pin or l tch 1nenibeim18islocated immediatelyabove vthe topof the shallow lQOX 6,. Thislatch has a free lateral mot-ion shath t p e:19 a d -e e? e l a cut-away portion 20 of such size that when the latchmember 18 is moved to the right the cut-away portion engages with theflexible cord or element 1 1, at the point where the same passes throughthe notch 15. By the movement of this latch to the right, the fie iibleelement is engaged between the cut away portion 20 and the slot 15 andthe ball 1 1 is therefore incapable of release when the door 2 isopened. In order to more or operate the latch18 laterally into thissafety position an electrical hell. or buzzer structure 21 is mountedupon the exterior of the door 3 of the cabinet 1. This hell or buzzerstructure has its clapper 22 closely adjacent the end of the latchmember 18 and win s. this ball or buzzer is operated the impulses of theclapper 22 against the end of the member 18 will shift the same to theright andinto the safety position.

lVhile the buzzer or hell structure 21 i illustrated as being on theouter surface o the cabinet door 3, "t is possible to locate the samewithin the cabinet and to have the clapper project through the dooradjacent to the outer end of the latch member 18. The electrical hell orbuzzer structure 21 is of the usual telephone ringer type although anysuitable electrical buzzer or hell structure may be utilized.

In the specific embodiment under description, thisbell or buzzerstructure is connected into n the telephone circuit so that when thecentral operator gives a ringing signal on the circuit into wh ch theelectrical signal device is connectedthe latch 18 will be moved to thesafety position by such ringing impulse. l I

y The operation of the specific embodiment thus described is as follows:The authorized occupant of the room or dwelling upon going out will setthe signal by unlocking the door 8 of the cabinet 1 and placing the ball14 in the sh allow box 6, subsequently closing the lid 7. If thelatch-18 is in the safety position it is also moved to the left or operative position. dwelling then notifies the central'operator or switchboard operator that he is leaving his room or dwelling. 'l. he switchboard operator will thereupon make a notation that suchroom or dwellingis vacant. If she receives a signal on the si nal lamp of the board shewill at once answer operator, or fnumber, please, and if she ceives noimmediateresponse over the telephone, she will be aware that an unlawfulor unauthorized entry has taken place. audshe will at once call theattention of the house detective or the police to this fact, giving themthe number of the room or the location ofthe dwelling, as the case maybe the signal .device islocate'd man apartment orhotel, theauthorizedoccup ant ,ofthe room will upon his return identify himself atthe desk to the operator who will there- The occupant of the room orupon impress a ringing signal upon the telephone circuit associated withhis room or apartment, thereby setting the safety latch 18 andpermitting the authorized occupant to enter his room or apartmentwithout causing the signal device to operate.

WVhere there is a telephone in the room 01' apartment incorporated inthe same circuit with the signal device or switch and where the burglaror unauthorized party might be entirely conversant with the operation ofthe protective system, herein described, it would be possible for suchperson to proceed at once to the telephone after making an unauthorizedentry and to satisfactorily answer the operators inquiry of operator ornumber, please.

In order to prevent this, I have provided in conjunction with the otherelements of the signal system a structure for preventing such actionfrom taking place. In order to do this I provide, as shownin Fig. 13, afelt or cork disk 23 which may be inserted as a sound proof plug in thetelephone mouth-piece. This plug or disk is provided with a loop 2d.Through the center of this loop is passed a retaining bolt or member 25,the same passing through drilled holes 26 and 27 formed at the properlocation in the telephone mouthpiece. This bolt is threaded at its outerend 28 and a small nut' 29 is screwed upon these threads.

When the authorized occupant of the room leaves he places the plug ordisk 23 in position as indicated in Figs. 13 to 15 inclusive, afterhaving notified the telephone operator of his departure. Upon theunauthorized entry of a person into the room or apartment, it would benecessary for such person to first unscrew the nut 29 from the bolt 28in order to remove the sound proof-disk 23. This would take such a timeinterval that the operator at the switch board not receiv' ing anyresponse to her inquiries would have become conversant immediately withthe fact that an unlawful entry had been made and she would immediatelynotify the detective or police in the manner hereinbefore de scribed.

Instead of using a nut 29 threaded upon the bolt 28, it would of coursebe possible to pierce a hole through the extremity of the bolt 28 and touse a small padlock with the hasp passing through this hole. Suchstructure would of course prevent unauthorized use of the telephone, butit should be understood that it is not necessary to provide unauthorizeduse of the phone, delayed use being entirely sufficient in the presentinstance.

In the modification shown in Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive, a small cabinet orcompartment 30 is provided adjacent the door 2 or similar closuredevice. This cabinet contains a telephone 31. Located below this cabinetand on the inside wall is a spring hinge 32 biased to closed position,as shown in Fig. 11. The outer or free end of this hinge has an extendedportion 33 which engages a spring holding clip 34- ,which functions tohold the same in open position. When the hinge is in this position, thetip of the projection 33 extends beyond the jamb of the door in suchposition that the spring latch 10 acts to remove the portion 33' fromthe spring clip 34- and will thereby cause the spring hinge to assumeits normal biased closed position shown in Figure 11. A knob 11 on theinner side of the door provides means for with drawing the latch 10 fromoperative position when opening the door from the inside.

Immediately below the recess 30 is located a smaller recess 35.Projecting into this re cess, through the inner end of the spring is abutton 36 having a right angle projection 37 at its rear end. A tubularopening or passageway extends between the compartment 30 and thecompartment 35, this passageway extending vertically and being locatedabove the button projection 37. EX- tending through this passageway is acord or flexible element 38 connected to the receiver hook of the phone31. This cord is fastened at its lower end to a ball or similar enlargedmember 39, and the cord and association of parts or members are suchthat when the ball 39 is pulled down below the projection 37 and thebutton 36 is withdrawn, the receiver hook of the telephone is held inthe down or non-signal position. The telephone receiver 40 may thereuponbe lifted from the hook without causing a signal to be given to theoperator.

In order to set the device as described in the previous paragraph, thelower compartment 35 may be provided with a suitable door 41 which maybe opened for this purpose and which may be locked ina closed positionby a-suitable lock 42 after the device has been set.

In operation. when the door 2 is opened from the outside the springlatch 10 carries the projection 33 out of the spring holding clips 34,and the free portion of the spring in returning to closed position hitsagainstthe button 36 driving the same into its inner position as shownin Fig. 11 and releasing the ball or enlarged member 39. The receiverhook thereupon lifts under its normal spring action and gives a visualsignal on the telephone switch board to the operator. As the door 43 mayhave a suitable lock mechanism 44, the telephone is renderedinaccessible and no response can be given to the inquiries of thetelephone operator.

In a modification of the character described it may be desirable toconstruct the cabinet or compartment 30 of suflicient size to contain asmall phonograph adjacent to the telephone 31. The flexible element 38would then be connected to the starting lever of the pli'oncgraph aswell as the telephone receiver hook, so that upon its release, it wouldstart the phonograph simultaneously with the movement of the hook intosignalling position, a suitable record would be car i iedon the disk orcylinder of the phonograph, which thus set in motion adjacent thetelephone, would a vocal signal to the telephone operator at the switchboard.

n the foregoing specification, it should be understood th't while thespecific embodiinents are described in connection with a door, theinvention is equally applicable to closure device such as a window,transom, etc. I

The specific eiiibQllililGlltS described are given by way ofillustration only and it ,houl'lbe understood that the invention issusceptible of various other embodiments within the scope of the claimsappended hereto. 1 7

What I claim is: H I j 1. Ina signalling device, the combination of awall cabinet, a door tor said cabinet, abox onsaid door, a cover forsaid box, a circuit closing device within said cabinet, andineans forholding said circuit closing device in inoperative position when locatedwithin said box.

2. In combination with a closure device, a wall cabinet located adjacentthereto, a circuit closing device located within said cabinet, means forholding said circuit closing device in -'noperative position, a latchmechanism for releasing said means mounted on the closure device, anda'nelectrically actuated safety device :iorv rendering said meansinoperative by said latch mechanism.

3. In combination with a closure device, a wall cabinet located adjacentthereto, a circuit closing device locat edflwithin said cabinet, a doorfor said cabinet, means mounted on the exterior of the door for holdingsaid circuit closing device ,in inoperative position and a latchmechanism for releasing said means mounted on the closure device.

4:. In combination with a closure device, a wall cabinet locatedadjacent thereto, a circuit closing device located within said cabinet,a door for said cabinet, means mounted on the exterior of the door, andincluding a box and cover for holding said circuit closing device ininoperative position, a latch mechanism mounted on the closure devicefor opening said cover.

5. In combination with a closure device, a wall cabinet located adjacentthereto, a circuit closing device located within said cabinet, a doorfor said cabinet, a flexi ble element extending from said circuitclosing device through a diagdnal passageway in said door, a box mountedon theexte'i ior of the door, an enlarged rigid element car-. ried onthe end of said flexible eleinent and adapted to be placed within saidbox, a cover to said box for retaining said rigid element therein, and alatch mechanism mountedon said closure device for opening said cover.

6. In combination with a closure device, a wall cabinet located adjacentthereto, a telephone circuit closing device located within said cabinet,a door for said cabinet, a flexible element extending from said circuitclosing device through a diagonal passageway in said door, a box mountedon the ex terior or the door, curved guard located above said box andthe exterior era of said passageway, an enlarged rigicl element carriedon the end of saidfiexibleeleinent and adapted to be placed within saidbox, a cover to said box for retaining said rigid element therein, and alatch mechanism mounted on said closure device for opening said coverwhen said closure device is o'perate'd. I

7. In a signal system adapted for use with a telephone line and anmen-amassing mbination of a closure device, a wall cabinet locatedadjacent thereto, a; circuit closing de vice intercalated invsaidtele'phone line and located within said wall cabinet, a sound proofplug for tempora rily obstructing the mouth piece of said telephoneinstrument and retaining means therefor requiri a time consumingoperation for its removal.

8. In combination with a closure device having an inner and I outer;side, a wall cabinet located adjacent thereto, a telephone circuitclosing device located within said cabinet, a door for said cabinet,means for preventing unauthorized opening of said door, a flexibleelementextending from said circuit closing device through said door, abox mounted onthe exterior of the door, an enlarged rigid elementcarried on the end of said flexible element and adapted to be placedwithin said box, a cover to said box for retaining said rigid elementtherein, a latch mechanism mounted on said closure device for openingsaid cover and releasing said rigid element when said closure device isopened, and means located on the inner side, of said closure device forwithdrawing said latch mechanism to an inoperative position.

In testimony whereof. I have hereunto aflixed my signature.

CHARLES P. NORTHINGTON.

